Upcoming Events!
Closed for Fork & Cork
One of the town’s most popular events, Blacksburg Fork and Cork is held each spring to showcase local and regional wineries, artists and restaurants. Enjoy wine tastings, live music, cooking demos and wine information sessions.
This event is hosted by the Blacksburg Partnership. Please direct questions regarding this event to Ann Cassell, President (ann@blacksburgpartnership.org) or Amelia Tuckwiller, Events Coordinator (amelia@blacksburgpartnership.org).
Blacksburg Community Band Independence Concert
Stars, Stripes & Summer Songs
An Evening of Americana & Patriotic Music
Free Admission · All Are Welcome
Join the Blacksburg Community Band for a spirited celebration of American musical heritage — from beloved folk melodies and march traditions to stirring patriotic anthems that lift the spirit.
Program: Americana & Patriotic Featuring marches, folk classics, patriotic anthems, and band favorites.
Plan Your Visit
The concert takes place at the Historic Smithfield pavilion in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Seating: Chairs will be set up in the Pavilion. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic gear. Come early to find your perfect spot on the grounds.
Admission: Free. This is a community event open to everyone. Donations to support the band are gratefully accepted.
Setting: Historic Smithfield is one of the region's most beloved landmarks — a perfect backdrop for an American music celebration.
Accessibility: Please contact Jenny Nehrt, Visitor Experiences Coordinator, if you need special accommodations to attend this event: jnehrt@historicsmithfield.org
About the Blacksburg Community Band
The Blacksburg Community Band is a proud fixture of the New River Valley's cultural life, bringing together talented volunteer musicians to share the joy of live concert band music with the community. The ensemble performs a wide range of repertoire spanning classical, popular, and patriotic traditions.
250th Independence Day Commemoration
Join us at Historic Smithfield for a full day of colonial-era demonstrations, rousing music, and programming that explores the full meaning of American independence. Watch a blacksmith shape iron at the forge, try your hand at candle dipping or tricorn hat making, and stroll through the grounds as spinners, militia members, a broommaker, and other historical demonstrators bring the 18th century to life.
The day's programming takes seriously both the promise and the complexity of July 4th. Hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud alongside Frederick Douglass' landmark 1852 address, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, presented by Blacksburg Town Councilman Darryl Campbell. The Proclamation Theatre and Floyd Historical Dancers will perform, and the Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians and Blue Ridge Vocal Connections will provide live music throughout the day.
Younger visitors can visit the petting zoo, use the printing press, and contribute to a community paper star art project. Pop-up lectures, mill tours, and house tours round out the day.
This event is free and open to the community, presented in partnership with the Montgomery Museum of Art & History, Meadowbranch Museum, Calfee Community and Cultural Center, and the Friends of St. Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth.
April Story Hour at Historic Smithfield
Join us for a morning of history, reading, and fun! Story Hour at Historic Smithfield is a wonderful way for young readers to connect with local history in an engaging, hands-on setting.
This session will feature a read-aloud about Colonial Farms, followed by a fun activity game that brings the story to life.
Best suited for children in grades 2–4.
Enter through the Gift Shop, located in the historic gardens.
We hope to see you there!
Opening Day: Frontier Spring 1776
Date & Time: Saturday, April 11 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Historic Smithfield, 1000 Merry Oak Way, Blacksburg, VA
Step back in time and experience life on Virginia’s colonial frontier at Historic Smithfield’s 2026 season opener! Our “Frontier Spring in 1776” celebration invites the community to explore the daily life, work, and crafts of families living in Southwest Virginia during the Revolutionary era.
Jefferson & Preston: Two Founding Voices. Many Pivotal Moments.
Step back to 1776 and hear Western Virginia's leading voices on the Revolution's turning points. Historic Smithfield presents a living history encounter featuring Governor Thomas Jefferson — statesman, philosopher, and Delegate to the Continental Congress — alongside Colonel William Preston, County Lieutenant of Montgomery and Commander of the Fincastle County Militia.
Jefferson will be portrayed by Bryan Austin, a living history interpreter at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Colonel Preston by Michael Hudson, Executive Director of Historic Smithfield.
Join us Saturday, April 11 at 12 o'clock at Historic Smithfield, 1000 Merry Oak Way, Blacksburg — as part of Opening Day for Frontier Spring 1776.
Event Highlights:
Live Music:
11:00 AM: Performance by Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians
12:00 PM: Living history presentation with William Preston (Michael Hudson) in conversation with Thomas Jefferson (Bryan Austin)
1:00 PM: Foot-stomping bluegrass by New Standard
Plus live harp music provided by Chloe Scales!
Living History & Demonstrations:
Hands-on crafts inspired by 1776 frontier life: candle dipping, seed planting, church dolls, and simple textile projects
Blacksmith demonstrations showing traditional tool-making techniques
Militia demonstrations illustrating colonial military drills and frontier defense
Hand-made shingles demonstrations by the Matthews Living History Farm
Food available!
Start your day with Cousins Coffee, Co. or grab a hot dog from Hot Bunz Hot Dogz.
Experience History Firsthand
Explore the seasonal work of colonial families—planting gardens, preparing food, repairing tools, and producing household goods—through engaging activities designed for visitors of all ages.
Silent Auction — Bid on Something Special, Build Something Lasting
Our silent auction is live! Browse a wonderful collection of items generously donated by our volunteers — including decorative wreaths, a handmade quilt, local woodwork, prints, and ceramics — and place your bid in support of Historic Smithfield's future.
Every dollar raised goes directly toward the construction of our new living history building, where thousands of students each year will enjoy even richer, hands-on experiences connecting with the past. Whether you walk away with a treasure or simply show your support, your bid helps keep history alive for the next generation.
The auction closes at 2:30 PM on Saturday, April 11 at the end of Opening Day. You can bid online now or in person during the event.
Story Tour with Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs, author of "More than a Fraction"
Step beyond the traditional historic tour and into the lived world of the people who called Smithfield home — not as guests, but as the enslaved men, women, and children whose labor, love, and resilience shaped every corner of this place.
Join author Kerri Moseley-Hobbs for an intimate, moving walkthrough of Historic Smithfield as she reads excerpts from her book More Than A Fraction — a powerful work of historical fiction that restores humanity and voice to the Fraction family, who were enslaved at Smithfield. Through richly imagined prose, Kerri brings to life their personalities, inner thoughts, relationships, and daily experiences — the full, complex lives that history so often leaves out.
As the group moves from room to room and across the grounds, each reading unfolds in the very place where its story is set — letting the physical space and the narrative illuminate each other in ways no conventional tour can.
This is Black history told with depth, dignity, and imagination. Come ready to listen, to feel, and to see Smithfield differently.
Free and open to all. No registration or tickets required.
Kerri Moseley-Hobbs
Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Kerri Moseley-Hobbs, Founder, and Executive Director of the More Than A Fraction Foundation, brings nearly two decades of comprehensive experience in education, straddling roles encompassing administration and research/program development. Her journey includes pivotal contributions to postsecondary (higher education) policy, regulation, and administration, coupled with a deep involvement in experiential learning, educational presentations, exposure initiatives, and historical research. Beyond her extensive involvement in prestigious projects, Dr. Moseley-Hobbs is an author, penning the creative non-fiction book "More Than a Fraction: Based on a True Story." She stands as one of the prominent voices chronicling the history of Africans in America, and African Americans, of Maryland, the Southeast region, and beyond.
Before assuming leadership roles in higher education, Dr. Moseley-Hobbs served as a promotion's assistant and junior writer at The Baltimore Times Newspaper in Baltimore, Maryland. Her remarkable journey in publishing commenced at the age of 12 and continued until she embarked on her higher education career at 18.
Holder of a doctorate degree in Education and three degrees from the University of Maryland—a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in interdisciplinary management, and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA)—Dr. Moseley-Hobbs traces her lineage as a 4th-generation descendant of Thomas Fraction, the central figure in her debut creative non-fiction book, "More Than A Fraction”.
Author Meet & Greet: Libby McNamee reads Susannah's Midnight Ride (Floyd)
🐴✨ Two Locations, One Amazing Story!
We’ve all heard of Paul Revere, but have you heard of Susanna Bolling? Susanna’s Midnight Ride is a historical novel for young people based on the true story of a 16-year-old girl from Virginia who saved French General Lafayette from capture, paving the way for the decisive Battle of Yorktown. Join author Libby McNamee to ride along with Susanna as she makes history.
Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, VA, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor’s horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection?
Presented in partnership with Historic Smithfield. A Montgomery County 250 and Virginia 250 Event.
Author Meet & Greet: Libby McNamee reads Susannah's Midnight Ride (Blacksburg)
🐴✨ Two Locations, One Amazing Story!
We’ve all heard of Paul Revere, but have you heard of Susanna Bolling? Susanna’s Midnight Ride is a historical novel for young people based on the true story of a 16-year-old girl from Virginia who saved French General Lafayette from capture, paving the way for the decisive Battle of Yorktown. Join author Libby McNamee to ride along with Susanna as she makes history.
Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, VA, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor’s horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection?
Presented in partnership with Historic Smithfield. A Montgomery County 250 and Virginia 250 Event.
March's Story Time
Join us for a fun and hands-on Story Hour at Historic Smithfield, perfect for young learners and their families! This month, we’ll read Adventurous Max Flax—a delightful story full of imagination and whimsy.
After the reading, children will get creative by crafting and weave their own yarn squares. Parental assistance is appreciated depending on your child’s age and ability.
Free and open to all young learners and their families
Storytime + craft activity
Please enter through the museum gift shop
We can’t wait to share stories, history, and creativity with you—come read, imagine, and craft with us!
Date & Time: Saturday, March 21 at 11:00 AM
March's Crafting Guild Session
Join us this winter for the Smithfield Crafting Guild, a new pilot program at Historic Smithfield designed to bring local makers together in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Bring your knitting, embroidery, sketchbook, sewing, or any portable craft project and enjoy time creating and connecting in the historic cellar of Smithfield.
The cellar was once a workspace for the plantation’s enslaved workers, whose skilled labor shaped this site. As we gather to make together, we do so with respect for the history of this space and the hands that once worked here.
What to Expect:
• Informal, self-led crafting
• All skill levels welcome
• Bring your own project
• Occasional guest artisans or skill-sharing sessions
• A cozy, creative atmosphere rooted in history
Winter Session Dates:
• Thursday, February 12
• Thursday, March 12
10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Please Note:
This is a new program we are piloting this winter. Dates and times may shift as we learn more about community interest and work to make the Crafting Guild as accessible and welcoming as possible.
This is a low-pressure, come-as-you-are gathering — no registration required. Bring a friend, meet fellow makers, and enjoy a peaceful morning of crafting at Historic Smithfield.
See less
Storytime & Craft Hour at Historic Smithfield
Join “Susannah Preston” at Historic Smithfield for a delightful Storytime and Craft Hour designed especially for young learners!
Children (suggested age: early elementary) are invited to gather for a cozy picture book reading of Sybil’s Night Ride by Karen B. Winnick, followed by a hands-on craft inspired by the story. After the reading, participants will create their own lanterns using everyday materials and battery-powered candles—perfect for sparking imagination and creativity.
This engaging program encourages early connections to history through storytelling and creative play in a warm, welcoming setting.
Perfect for families, homeschool groups, and little history lovers.
February's Crafting Guild Session
Join us this winter for the Smithfield Crafting Guild, a new pilot program at Historic Smithfield designed to bring local makers together in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Bring your knitting, embroidery, sketchbook, sewing, or any portable craft project and enjoy time creating and connecting in the historic cellar of Smithfield.
The cellar was once a workspace for the plantation’s enslaved workers, whose skilled labor shaped this site. As we gather to make together, we do so with respect for the history of this space and the hands that once worked here.
What to Expect:
• Informal, self-led crafting
• All skill levels welcome
• Bring your own project
• Occasional guest artisans or skill-sharing sessions
• A cozy, creative atmosphere rooted in history
Winter Session Dates:
• Thursday, February 12
• Thursday, March 12
10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Please Note:
This is a new program we are piloting this winter. Dates and times may shift as we learn more about community interest and work to make the Crafting Guild as accessible and welcoming as possible.
This is a low-pressure, come-as-you-are gathering — no registration required. Bring a friend, meet fellow makers, and enjoy a peaceful morning of crafting at Historic Smithfield.
See less
Music of the Civil War (Presented by Geoff Whtie)
Join us for an engaging afternoon of history and music with musician and historian Geoff White, who will perform songs written and played during the American Civil War while sharing their stories and historical significance.
This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Historic Smithfield, the Blacksburg Museum & Cultural Foundation, and the Virginia Center for the Civil War Studies.
RESCHEDULED DATE: Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM
Alexander Black House, Blacksburg
204 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Sponsored by Historic Smithfield, the Blacksburg Museum & Cultural Foundation, and the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies.
Parking Info: Limited street parking is available along Draper Road near the Alexander Black House. If those spaces are full, we recommend using nearby public parking in downtown Blacksburg, including the Kent Square Parking Garage, just a short walk away. Please allow a few extra minutes to park and walk, especially during busy downtown events.
Meet the Author: Libby McNamee, author of "Susanna's Midnight Ride" (BLACKSBURG)
Meet the Author: Libby McNamee, author of "Susanna's Midnight Ride" In-Person at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd or the Blacksburg Library!
...............................................................
We’ve all heard of Paul Revere, but have you heard of Susanna Bolling? Susanna’s Midnight Ride is a historical novel for young people based on the true story of a 16-year-old girl from Virginia who saved French General Lafayette from capture, paving the way for the decisive Battle of Yorktown. Join author Libby McNamee to ride along with Susanna as she makes history.
Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, VA, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor’s horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection?
Presented in partnership with Historic Smithfield & the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. A Montgomery County 250 and Virginia 250 Event.
Meet the Author: Libby McNamee, author of "Susanna's Midnight Ride" (FLOYD)
Meet the Author: Libby McNamee, author of "Susanna's Midnight Ride" In-Person at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd or the Blacksburg Library!
...............................................................
We’ve all heard of Paul Revere, but have you heard of Susanna Bolling? Susanna’s Midnight Ride is a historical novel for young people based on the true story of a 16-year-old girl from Virginia who saved French General Lafayette from capture, paving the way for the decisive Battle of Yorktown. Join author Libby McNamee to ride along with Susanna as she makes history.
Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, VA, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor’s horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection?
Presented in partnership with Historic Smithfield & the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. A Montgomery County 250 and Virginia 250 Event.
Yuletide at Historic Smithfield
Step back in time and experience the warmth, wonder, and traditions of the season at Yuletide, a celebration blending colonial customs, music, and family fun. This immersive event invites you to savor the sights, sounds, and tastes of the holidays as our ancestors might have enjoyed them—infused with heartwarming charm for all ages.
Event Highlights
Sip & Savor
Enjoy an elegant tea service in the spirit of centuries past.
Sample Colonial sweets inspired by recipes from the 1700s.
Create & Craft
Make your own ornament using tin punching, a folk art inspired by the region’s earliest German settlers.
Design a wreath to bring festive greenery into your home.
Write a letter to Santa with an authentic ink quill—a keepsake to treasure.
Meet & Greet
Capture the magic—take a photo with Santa in a festive colonial setting.
Step Into the Dance
Learn English Country Dance from the Floyd Historical Dancers and feel the rhythm of the past.
Learn & Discover
Watch artisans and demonstrators at work, from skilled blacksmiths to colonial militia reenactors.
Stroll through our artisanal vendor market for handcrafted gifts and unique finds.
Historic Smithfield Pie Baking Contest - Part of Thanksgiving During the American Revolution
Bake Like It’s 1776!
Step back in time and celebrate the flavors of early America at Historic Smithfield’s Pie Baking Contest — where history, creativity, and community come together in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Local bakers are invited to craft pies inspired by 18th-century recipes. Whether sweet or savory, every entry should tell a story about the tastes and traditions of the American Revolution era.
Meet the Judges
Our distinguished judging panel brings together culinary creativity, community leadership, and deep expertise in food history:
Betül Tunç — Instagram chef with over 10 million followers and NYT-Best Selling cookbook author of Turkuaz Kitchen
Dr. Anna Zeide — Director of Food Studies at Virginia Tech, historian of food, and award-winning author exploring the connections between food, culture, and the environment
Peggy Fanney — Smithfield-Preston Foundation Board Chair and a descendant of James Patton Preston, son of Colonel William Preston and Susanna Smith Preston
Event Schedule
10:00–11:00 AM – Pie drop-off at Historic Smithfield
11:00 AM – Judging begins
11:30 AM – The winner is announced and public tasting starts. First come, first serve!
Contest Categories
This year’s Historic Smithfield Pie Baking Contest features two divisions so everyone can join in the fun:
Adult Contest – Open to all bakers age 16 and up.
Youth Contest – Open to young bakers under 16, who can enter individually or with the help of an adult.
Each contest will have a Sweet and Savory winner.
All entries will be evaluated using the same criteria — historic accuracy, flavor, and presentation — but youth entries will be celebrated for creativity and enthusiasm as well as taste.
How to Enter
Choose a historic recipe — Draw inspiration from 18th-century sources such as American Cookery (1796) or The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy (1747).
Submit your entry by Thursday, November 13.
Bring your baked pie to Historic Smithfield between 10:00–11:00 AM on November 15.
Inspiration for Bakers
Need help finding a historic recipe? Explore these authentic sources:
American Cookery by Amelia Simmons (1796)
The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy by Hannah Glasse (1747)
Submit Your Entry Here
Thanksgiving during the Revolutionary War
Step back in time for a day of food, music, and living history!
Hands-on demonstrations, live music, local artisans, and family activities bring 18th-century life to the present. Perfect for families, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys great food and live tunes.
Featured Highlights
Live Music: Afternoon sets from Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small — traditional folk and colonial-inspired tunes.
Food: Local favorite Cooper Dog & Co. and a savory camp-cooking demonstration with fresh chicken and seasonal vegetables.
Hands-On History: Try blacksmithing, spinning, cider pressing, and explore a colonial militia encampment.
About the Event
Historic Smithfield’s Colonial Day invites you to experience living history first-hand.
Talk with demonstrators, sample camp cooking, and enjoy small-town hospitality.
What to expect:
Interactive demonstrations of colonial-era skills and trades
Local artisans offering crafts, candles, soaps, and homestead goods
Live music from Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small
Family-friendly fun: games, dress-up, house tours, and animal encounters
Vendor Marketplace
Shop locally made goods and homestead products:
Designz by mimi
Urban Homesteader VA
Goat Haven Soap
FWM Candles LLC
Women’s Club of Radford
Demonstrations
Blacksmithing
Colonial militia encampment
Camp cooking over a live fire
Apple cider press
Spinning
Family Activities
Welcome Table & information booth
Guided house tours
Culinary herbs demonstration by Jean’s Apothecare
Furs & bones + colonial jobs matching game
Colonial games hosted by Blacksburg Ballet
Try on colonial clothes for photos
Make a piggy bank with Friends of St. Luke, Odd Fellows, and Household of Ruth
Visitor Information
Check in at the Welcome Table for maps and the day’s schedule
Restrooms and accessible facilities available
Bring comfortable shoes — much of the site is outdoors on grass and historic paths
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”
Mr. Patrick Henry Jolly, 5th Great Grandson of Patrick Henry, will present his ancestor's famous speech at Historic Smithfield. This event is presented by the Alleghany Daughters of the American Revolution.
Please join us for a countdown to America’s 250th Anniversary!
This free event is held in the cellar of Historic Smithfield. Space is limited and it's first come, first serve.
Colonial Ball, Hosted by the Floyd Historical Dancers
Join the Floyd HIstorical Dancers for a COLONIAL BALL at Historic Smithfield, the home of William Preston.
1000 Smithfield Plantation Rd.
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060
October 25, 2025 - 6:00-9:00 pm
English country dancing
All dances will be taught
Singles welcome
Wear comfortable shoes
Historic, colonial attire encouraged, but not required, as we are trying to re-create the elegance of the Colonial Era. Please do dress formal and festive.
Halloween: Haunting Tales & Harvest Traditions
Step back in time this Halloween at Historic Smithfield for Haunting Tales & Harvest Traditions, a festive, family-friendly celebration steeped in Appalachian folklore, colonial customs, and early American storytelling.
Proudly sponsored by Brown Insurance.
Demonstrations & Living History Activities
Experience the past brought to life with hands-on demonstrations and family-friendly fun. Watch traditional skills in action—from blacksmithing and colonial camp life to open-fire cooking and cider pressing. Explore history through guided tours, crafts, and storytelling, or dive into creative activities like mask-making, pumpkin painting, and even trying on period clothing. With interactive stations, animals to meet, and plenty of seasonal fun, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
🎭 Special Performance: Proclamation Theatre
Don’t miss a captivating 30-minute performance by Proclamation Theatre from 11:00–11:30 AM. Experience history brought to life through powerful portrayals of Mary Draper Ingles, Esther Fraction, and William Mahone, and gain a deeper connection to the stories and people who shaped our region. This performance is perfect for history enthusiasts and families alike!
🍴 Food & Drink
Fuel your fun with hearty eats from Simple Fixins 4 You, serving up delicious seasonal favorites. Don’t miss the fresh-pressed apple cider at our cider-making station! And get a cup of “Witches Brew” from Jean’s Apothecare.
🎶 Live Music
Tap your toes to old-time string band music by Corbin Hayslett & His New River Buddies, bringing energy and tradition to the stage.
🛍️ Artisans & Vendors
Browse unique handmade goods and seasonal treasures:
Spooky Pop-Up Bookshop by Blacksburg Books
Nana T’s Creations and More
Sweet Tartist (The Sourpieman)
Steve Cochran’s wood turning & Carol Monti’s fiber art
Mt. Tabor Ruritans apple butter
…and more!
👻 Costume Contest
Show off your creativity! Wear your best costume and join the fun—prizes and bragging rights await.
Whether you're drawn to spine-tingling tales or the warmth of the harvest season, this event offers something magical for all ages.
Admission: Free!
Proudly sponsored by Brown Insurance!
Wine Basket Weaving Class
Join us for a beginner-friendly basket weaving class led by experienced artisan Susan Frank. Perfect for ages 15 and up, this hands-on workshop requires no prior weaving experience. You'll learn foundational techniques amongst new friends in a historic setting—plus complete a charming wine basket along the way. Come ready to create, learn new skills, and leave with a handmade treasure!
Ages 15+
Grave Matters: History. Horror. One Unforgettable Night.
Step into the shadows for an evening of history and horror. Historian Rebecca LeMert will guide you through Halloween’s fascinating evolution—from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain to the trick-or-treat tradition we know today. Then, brace yourself as award-nominated author Mike Allen spins chilling tales guaranteed to haunt your imagination.
Your ticket includes event admission and a Bull & Bones–catered appetizer bar.
About the speakers:
Rebecca LeMert
Rebecca W. LeMert is from Radford, VA and holds a B.A. (2015) and M.A. (2017) in history and public history from Virginia Tech. Rebecca has previously worked in operations and visitor services at the Museums at Washington and Lee University and in non-profit development at Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity in Lexington, VA. Recently, she returned to her roots in public history and is now the Annual Giving & Operations Manager at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville, VA.
As a longtime avid consumer of horror literature, film, and all things spooky, Rebecca's graduate research focuses on the history of our strangest holiday, Halloween—which embraces all these things—and how and why it first took hold in the United States to eventually spread across the entire country.
Mike Allen
Mike Allen writes spooky things — a Publishers Weekly reviewer called his poems and stories "nightmare fuel." Two of his collections of horror tales, Unseaming and Aftermath of an Industrial Accident, were nominees for the Shirley Jackson Award, named after the author of The Haunting of Hill House. In 2025, he's having two new books released: his post-apocalyptic zombie novel The Black Fire Concerto came out in April, and his Appalachian horror novel Trail of Shadows will come out in October. With his wife Anita he runs publishing house Mythic Delirium Books in Roanoke. Follow him on Instagram @mythicdelirium and Bluesky @mythicdelirium.bsky.social.
Please note: This event contains mature themes and is best suited for adult audiences.
All proceeds benefit Historic Smithfield and its educational programming.
Build a Two-Pie Basket
Take your basket weaving skills to the next level in this beginner-friendly workshop led by artisan Susan Frank. Open to ages 15 and up, this class guides you through creating a larger, functional two-pie basket—perfect for transporting baked goods or stylish storage. No prior experience is needed as you learn essential techniques in a welcoming, historic setting. Join fellow creatives, enjoy the process, and leave with a beautiful handmade basket you’ll be proud to use or gift.
Class: $50 (all materials included)
Ages 15+